The quantity and quality of liquids produced from solid coal can be enhanced by a process comprising a liquefaction zone and a pyrolysis reactor, preferably a fluid coking zone, wherein the heavy liquids obtained in the pyrolysis reactor, e.g., 1000.degree. F.+ materials having a Conradson Carbon content of at least 15 wt. % are recycled to the liquefaction zone, rather than to the pyrolysis reactor, for further treatment under hydrogenation conditions and, consequently, conversion of the heavy liquids to lower boiling liquids which may be removed from the pyrolysis reactor feed by distillation is achieved.